Water professionals often lack information technology skill sets and the perspective to appreciate the opportunities of digitalisation, while technology entrepreneurs rarely grasp the nuances of complex water systems, which is making the water professionals conservative, cautious and/or late adopters. As global change brings local upheaval to crumbling water infrastructure, water professionals must update their analytic strategies used for planning investments, with constant, real-time observations of water quantity and quality data. The water sector can learn vital lessons from how the digital technologies disrupt other industries by “leapfrogging” and thus it holds enormous potential to solve water challenges and achieve the SDG6. The project focuses on how to achieve these goals in preparation of the decision makers of tomorrow, and the innovators and engineers by utilizing the collaborations between six universities and six SMEs and one international NGO.The project aims (1) to develop new, innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning by using multidisciplinary curricula integrated with digital learning tools and virtual facilities with access in cloud systems and Problem Based Learning; (2) to stimulate entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skills of higher education teaching staff and company staff using Innovation Camps and (3) to facilitate the exchange, flow and co-creation of knowledge by creating inter-stakeholder courses integrating academic, corporate learning and professional development for external specialists.The ambitions of the project is to foster digital innovation in the water sector by showcasing in water and parallel sectors (e.g. energy), building IT skill sets to water professionals, mainstreaming technology entrepreneurs into water sector, connecting the water sector with related industries and resource issues, and shift future water leaders from late to early adopters of new innovations and ideas.

The overall objective of PIANO is to create a strategic cooperation partnership for water research and innovation between Europe and China, promoting the creation of networks of companies (including SMEs), entrepreneurs, not for profit organisations, policy makers, regulators and funding bodies to create business and social opportunities for China Europe Water Cooperation. PIANO will contribute to and is endorsed by the China Europe Water Platform (CEWP), and its 10 active EU Member States. First, PIANO will strengthen the existing CEWP network to create a comprehensive China Europe water research and innovation network. Second, based on a comparative analysis of the water innovation landscape in Europe and China, PIANO will identify European technological water innovations with potential for implementation and replication in China. In addition, PIANO will identify opportunities for joint development to address water challenges, where both Europe and China lack market ready technological water innovations. Third, PIANO will identify drivers and barriers for implementation and replication of technical innovations. PIANO will also identify strategies to overcome obstacles and take advantage of drivers, to facilitate creation of business opportunities. Fourth, PIANO will promote knowledge exchange and a policy dialogue to create an enabling environment for the uptake of technological water innovations. Fifth, PIANO will develop a shared strategic research and innovation agenda between Europe and China in the water sector. PIANO will align with current and future strategic initiatives to optimise opportunities for the EU and China across the water sector. To ensure success and achieve high impact, PIANO will be executed by a consortium of 9 leading European partners from both public and private sectors. Also, 13 leading Chinese partners are active PIANO participants, including the Ministries of Water Resources and of Environmental Protection.